The
exact date of origin of the game of Golf in the Ballyliffin area is
difficult to pinpoint. Clubs in Greencastle (1893), North West (1890)
and City of Derry (1912) were already well established by the 1940's
and supposedly their success acted as a reassuring prompt to the formal
establishment of a Club in Ballyliffin. The game had been played spasmodically
at Pollen Green (Gerard Grants land) by members of the British Army,
stationed at Leenan Fort and later in the 1920's and 1930's by Carndonagh
Bankers and others who could afford the time. In any case by the middle
to late 1940's after the end of World War II the concept of establishing
a Club in the area gained momentum.

A meeting of those interested in the formation of the
Golf Club at Ballyliffin was held in Ballyliffin Hall on 2nd April,
1947. Rev. J. Gallagher D.D. Clonmany was elected to chair the meeting.
The meetina unanimously agreed to undertake the establishment of a
course on Pollen Green. The following committee was appointed to negotiate
an agreement with the owners of the land and to raise funds by advance
subscriptions:

The work of laying out the course was undertaken by
Mr. Fleming, Assistant County Secretary with assistance from Messer
Dickson and Bonnar of the North West Golf Club and Mr. Callan of Greencastle
Golf Club. The original course was a 9-hole layout which started at
Pollen Beach, extended around the big bank, crossed over towards the
town loaning ; and skirting the fields finished with a par 3 across
the big drain, (However, outlines would be chopped and changed over
the years)

Golf
Course circa late 1940's

By the 8th August, 1947 a lease of all the necessary
rights for a period of ten years was granted by the ten landowners
concerned to the newly elected trustees of the Club, namely: Rev.
J, Gallagher; M.D. White, Patrick J. O'Doherty, Patrick Gallen and
Bernard Harkin, for an initial annual sum of £1 per year per landowner.
For the record those local landowners who collectively owned the commonage
known as Pollen Green, were Charles Doherty (C), Patrick Grant, Michael
Doherty, Denis Doherty, William Toland, Bernard Grant, Neil Doherty,
Owen McLaughlin, Daniel Doherty and Corneilius Doherty.

A first Greenkeeper / Caretaker, William Toland, was
initially employed from May until September at £2 per week with additional
casual labour bringing the wage bill for the year to $45-10 -0. An
army style 'Nissen' Hut was purchased for £16 - 16s -0d to serve as
a temporary Clubhouse and was erected at Pollen Green. (although in
truth it was little used apart from a store for tools).

The course was unofficially declared open for play to
Members in June, but because the newly laid greens were still quite
rough it was decided to postpone the official opening until their
condition improved. A Greens Committee, composed of Dr. Friel, Sgt.
Crehan, P. J. McCarroll and Harold Workman was appointed to take charge
of all work to ensure that the new course would be in good order for
the coming season.

Several fund-raising efforts were made over that first
winter with for example; on 9th December the Convent of Mercy Past
Pupils Dramatic Society of Derry performed "The Quiet Weekend" in
the Colgan Hall, which raised the tidy sum of £16 towards the clubs
coffers.

Map
of the Fairways circa late 1940's

Two founder members Dr. Gallagher (Transferred to Coleraine)
and Mr. Fleming, left the area during the year; the club acknowledged
their trojan work in helping in its initiation.

At the final meeting of this historic year, the A.G.M.
the Honorary Secretary Mr. Patrick J. O'Doherty recorded the following
prophetic assessment. ..

"In the opinion of the Committee, the prospects tor
the Club in the coming years are bright. The initial work is now over
and a course is in existence and although perhaps not up to the standard
of other 9-hole courses, it is capable of great development, and has
the advantages of being ideally situated and tree from major obstructions..."

May 2nd, 1948 was the date eventually chosen to mark
the official opening of the Club. An open competition was held which
drew a large entry, including many members from the 'North West' Club
in Buncrana. The competition was won by Mr. Walter Fitzgerald with
Mr. P. J. McCarroll runner-up. A social evening was later held in
the Strand Hotel, Ballyliffin to celebrate the occasion.

The first Captains Prize was competed for on the 29th
August, 1948. From a large field of competitors Mr. Theo McLaughlin
emerged victorious. The Captain Mr. White presented the winner with
a handsome dressing case at a function in the Strand Hotel.

Naturally, fund-raising for the new Club was always
a priority and many events/functions were held during the year; e.g.
a sweep on the St. Leger raised £66 -0- 4 and a Supper Dance in the
Colgan Hall realised a net profit of £51 -2- 0. Collectively, through
direct members participation the Club was soon reporting a healthy
credit balance which augured well for its continued development.

It's also worth recording that after two years in business
the Club had forged a strong support group from among members of the
North West Club- indeed a relationship (among others) that continues
to thrive 50 years on! 1948 -1949 saw the Club continuing to expand
not least reflected in the £10 purchase of its first mower - The Atco
Motor Mower; which at the time was seen as a momental achievement
but in reality it proved to be a mechanical nightmare.

On 26th June, 1949 the Club participated in its first
competitive match -away to Greencastle, in which they were defeated
6 and 1 .However, on the return match at home, Ballyliffin recorded
a first team victory 4 and 2 with 2 half matches. A Novices Cup was
also competed for, for the first time with Mr. Neil P. O'Doherty emerging
as winner. The Captains Prize was won by Dr. Friel.

On the 11th September, 1949 a first match against the
'North West' was held at Lisfannon. Ballyliffin suffered a 6 and 1
defeat but again in the return match on 9th December recorded a 5
and 4 victory.

1948 -1949 also saw the departure of two founder members;
the treasurer Mr. McCormack and Sgt. Crehan - both extremely hard
working, committed members of the Club. Other names synonymous with
the Club at this time included: Cahir O'Doherty; Frank McCarroll,
Derry (County); Joseph Lynas, Dr. Eamon De Valera, Dublin; Joseph
Butler, Daniel Gilmore; James McEleney, Charles Crampsie; James McLaughlin;
Dr. James McCormack; Rev. Thomas O'Doherty; Theo McLaughlin; Anthony
Doherty; Ms. M. Reid; Peter Comiskey; Dr. James O'Donnell; Joseph
Doherty (O); Willie Doherty (S); Tony Diver, Tom Haughey; Sean McGonagle,
Derry; J. J. Butler; Vera Butler; Ms. Alice O'Doherty; Sean O'Leary
and Patsy McGonagle. Membership of the Club for these people didn't
just mean turning up to play a round of golf, in practice it meant
that they were the Club, body and soul, physically and emotionally.
Before their round of golf they brought along their own lawnmowers
to cut greens and tees and to check on wire that enclosed the greens
(used to protect them from the animals that grazed the fairways -
the original 'gang mower' if you like!). Quite simply they prepared
the course first and then got down to the business of golf. Thus the
beginning of the unique "spirit of Ballyliffin" -good humoured selfless
participation!

At the A.G.M. of 16th April, 1952 Patrick J O'Doherty
the Honorary Secretary recorded the following observations. ..

"The position of the Club after 5 years of existence
is that it has succeeded in establishing a useful 9-hole course at
Ballyliffin. A great deal of work of laying out and maintaining the
links was carried out voluntarily by the members' themselves and one
of the features of the club during these five years has been the spirit
of friendly co- operation between all members in this respect. The
links have provided a welcome source of recreation for a large number
of people and the series of competitions and out matches provided
opportunities for friendly social contact with members of neighbouring
clubs... The Ballyliffin Golf Club has made something of a name for
itself in Inishowen."